Tethering system for an elongated lighter-than-air balloon



June 10, 1969 w. T. FENN ET AL 3,448,864

Filed May 27, 1965 Sheet of4 INVENTORS WARREN 7. FEN/V EUGENE A.SCI-I077 DONALD E. SCHUDY A TORNEY' TETHERING SYSTEM FOR AN ELONGATEDLIGHTER-THAN-AIR BALLOON Filed May 27, 19 65 Sheet INVENTOR. WARREN TIFENN EUGENE A. SCHOTT BY DONALD B .SCHUDY ATTORNEY June 10, 1969 w.TQFENN ET AL TETHERING SYSTEM FOR AN ELONGATED LIGHTER- Fflled May 27,1965 THAN-AIR BALLOON INVENTOR. WARREN 7. FENN ATTORNEY June 10, 1969"W.T.,FENN'ETAL 3,448,864

TETHERING SYSTEM FOR AN ELONGATED LIGHTER-.THAN-AIR BALLOON Filed May27, 1965 Sheet 4 of 4 R/EAR TETHER CABLE FORWARD TETHER CQBLE INVENTOR.WARREN 7. FENN EUGENE A. SCHOTT BY DONALD TSCHUDY ATTORNEY United StatesPatent 3,448,864 TETHERING SYSTEM FOR AN ELONGATED LIGHTER-THAN-AIRBALLOON Warren T. Fenn, Tallmadge, Eugene A. Schott, Akron, and DonaldB. Tschudy, Canton, Ohio, assignors to Goodyear Aerospace Corporation,Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 27, 1965, Ser. No.459,295 Int. Cl. B64b 1/50; B64c 31/06 US. Cl. 21271 4 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a tethering system for anelongated lighter than air balloon, and more particularly to a uniquetethering system which may adjustably control the angle of attack andlift capacity of a dynamic lift type balloon configuration withimprovements in obtaining movements of the balloon relative to theearth, and to prevent possible fouling thereof upon yawing movement.

US. Patent No. 3,151,821 defines a V-shaped configuration for tetheredballoons, and is assigned to the same assignee. Utilization of thisballoon for carrying loads has brought a need for an improvement in aconventional tethering system, so as to provide a controllable angle ofattack to the balloon to thereby properly control the lift capacitythereof. Further, a need to prevent fouling of the tethering apparatusupon yaw movement of the balloon soon became apparent in combinationwith the novel controllable angle of attack tethering system. Since theballoon was adapted for moving loads over the ground, it becamenecessary to incorporate with the tethering system, a unique system toaflect movement of the balloon over the ground without changing theangle of attack or causing undue load stresses on any particular portionof the tethering system. This invetntion meets the needs of a uniquetethering system for a V-shaped configuration of a tethered balloon.

- Therefore, it is the general object of the present invention to meetthe needs of tethering a V-shaped lighter than air balloon by providinga two cable tethering sys-- tem wherein the forward cable issubstantially fixed with relation to the ground, but the rearward cableis movable with relation to the ground dependent upon the load carriedby the balloon, so that as a load is applied, the rearward portion ofthe balloon is pulled downwardly increasing the angle of attack, andwhen the load is removed, the rearward end moves back to its normalposition A further object of the invention is to provide a tetheringsystem utilizing a forward and after cable tethering where the forwardcable is held in substantially fixed relation to the ground, but therearward cable is adjustable in this position to thereby control theangle of attack at which the balloon flies as it may be movedessentially parallel with relation to the ground.

A further object of the invention is to provide a two cable tetheringsystem for a V-shaped lighter than air balloon wherein each cable may beindependently swiveled with relation to each other so that yaw movement3,448,864 Patented June 10, 1969 of the balloon, even greater than 360,will not foul the dual cable tethering system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dual cable tetheringsystem for a V-shaped lighter than air balloon adapted to move loadsover the ground whereby a double main line butt rigging arrangement isrelated to the front balloon tether cable and a load carrying cable sothat as the balloon is moved and the load raised, the front balloontether cable is out to thereby raise the load and change the angle ofattack of the balloon with the power required then being a function ofthe difference in the tension of the cable raising the load and thetension of the front balloon tether cable.

The aforesaid objects of the invention and other objects which willbecome apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing ina tethering system for a V-shaped lighter than air balloon thecombination of forward cable means affixed to the forward end of theballoon and having an end extending downwardly there from, rearwardcable means affixed to the rearward end of the balloon and having an endextending downwardly therefrom, means operatively and flexiblyconnecting the cable ends in spaced relation, separate supporting cablemeans operatively connected to each of the ends of the cable means andeach having an end extending downwardly therefrom, carrying means havinga hole therethrough operatively aflixed at the end of the supportingcable means connected to the forward cable means, the other supportingcable slidably received through the hole in the carrying means, drivemeans to move and guide the carrying means in a substantially horizontalpath to eifect movement of the balloon, and load means operativelyaffixed to the ends of the other supporting cable whereby the rearwardend of the balloon is lowered to increase the angle of attack and liftcapacity thereof.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partially broken away, schematic view of one embodiment ofthe two cable suspension system for an elongated lighter than airballoon:

FIGURE 2 is a reduced size schematic view of the balloon system ofFIGURE 1 showing how the angle of attack thereof may be increased bydecreasing the relative length of the rearward suspension cable;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic view, similar to FIGURE 2,

, showing how the angle of attack may be decreased by increasing therelative length of the rearward suspension cab e;

FIGURE 4 is a broken away, enlarged view of another arrangement toeffectively control the relative length of the rearward suspension cablewhen the balloon is in a loaded condition;

FIGURE 5 is a broken away schematic enlargement of a swivel system thatmight be incorporated in the double suspension tethering system ofFIGURE 1 to prevent entanglement during yawing movement of the balloon;and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, broken away, schematic illustration of a buttrigging which might be utilized to provide a raising of a load togetherwith paying out of a forward tether cable at the same time that the buttrigging is being moved essentially parallel to the ground.

While it should be understood that a tethering system of this type mightbe utilized with a V-shaped lighter than air balloon for practically anypurpose, this particular tethering system was designed to transport logsover the ground, and hence ithas been so illustrated and will be sodescribed.

With reference to the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 ofthe drawings, the numeral 1 indicates generally a V-shaped configurationof a lighter than air tethered "balloon which is tethered at its forwardend on each side by a plurality of tether cables 2, and .at its rearwardend on each side by another plurality of tether cables 3. The forwardcables 2 terminate at a point 4 from which extends a single forwardsuspension cable comprised of an upper portion 51) and a lower portion5a. In a similar manner, the after tethering cables 3 terminate at point6 into a single rearward suspension cable composed of an upper portion712 and a lower portion 7a. The portions 5a and 5b of the forwardsuspension cable and 7a and 7b of the rearward suspension cable areconnected at points 8 and 9, respectively, by a limiting or connectingcable 10. Normally, the invention contemplates that the cable will bepivotally mounted at points 8 and 9 to allow freedom for a change of thegeometric relationship of the cables involved as the length of cable 7ais increased or decreased with respect to cable 5a as more fullydescribed hereinafter. However, to overcome pitching and bucking of theballoon when a load is picked up as more fully set forth hereinafter,the cable 10 might be elastic to effect a resilient snubbing actionbetween the forward and rearward suspension cables.

In order to provide relative movement to the ground and thereby make useof the balloon 1, a butt rigging 11 is provided. The rigging 11 isconnected on one end by a pay-out line 12 and on the other by ahaul-back line 13. Each line 12 and 13 is connected to a respectivewinch 14 and 15. The lower portion 5a of the forward suspension cable isconnected directly to the rigging 11 at an upwardly extending tab 16.The lower portion 7a of the after suspension cable passes through anopening 17 in the rigging .11 and is slidable therein. The lower portion7a of the after suspension cable is connected directly to a supportingswivel 18, onto a tab 19 thereof. A limit or stop cable 20 is connectedfrom a tab 21 on the bottom of the rigging 11 to a tab 22 on the swivel18, so as to prevent movement of the swivel 18 too great .a distancefrom the rigging 11. A load carrying choker cable 23 is connected fromthe tab 24 on the bottom of the swivel 18. A log 25 is shown carried byone extension 26 of the choker cable 23. Another extension 27 of thechoker cable 23 is shown as being empty.

Thus, it is seen that the after or rearward suspension cable 7a passesfreely through the hole 17 in the rigging 11 while the lower portion ofthe forward suspension cable 5a is operatively afiixed thereto on thetab 16. This means that as a load, represented by the log 25, is addedto the choker cable 23, the lower portion 7a of the after suspensioncable is slidably moved downwardly through the hole .17 causing anincrease in the angle of attack of the balloon 1. This further causes aresultant increase in the lift thereof when the balloon is moved in adirection indicated by the arrow 30 by the winches 14 and 15 moving therigging 11 through the pay-out line 12 and haul-back line 13. It shouldbe noted that the winches 14 and 15 will normally be mounted on theground, and that no other suspension for the rigging 11 will benecessary since the buoyant support qualities of the balloon 1 will liftthe pay-out line 12 and haulback line 13 well clear of the ground toaffect an in-flight movement of the log 25, if desired, or at least alifting of one end of the log 25 off the ground and a dragging movementthereof. It should be noted also, with respect to FIGURE 1, that thelimit or stop cable 20 has some slack as at 31 so that if more weightwere added to the choker cable 23, the rearward suspension cable 7awould be extended further to thus increase the angle of attack of theballoon 1 to a greater degree.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a balloon 1 having a greater load 25a thereon sothat the balloon or lower portion of the rearward suspension cable 7a isextended to substantially its furthest reach so that a stop or limitercable 20a is at its extended position, and it can be seen that the angleof atack of the balloon 1 has been substantially increased over theballoon 1 of FIGURE 1. Conversely, FIGURE 3 illustrates a balloon 1which has no load thereon so that the lower portion of the aftersuspension cable 7 is in what could be called the maximum upper positioncausing a maximum slack 31a in a stop or limiter cable 20a. It can beseen that the angle of attack of the balloon 1 is substantiallydecreased, compared to the balloons of FIGURES l and 2. It isanticipated that the angle of attack of the balloon for normal tetheredflight will be about 2 as seen in FIGURE 3, and that this angle offlight will provide a maximum survival potential in winds of up to 60miles per hour. For maximum loading, the angle of attack of the balloonmay be increased to perhaps 30 as seen in FIGURE 2 so as to providegreater lift for a given wind velocity. A medium loading may cause anangle of attack of about 10 as seen in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a system to control the angle of attack of aballoon by simply making a stop or limit cable 40 attached to a buttrigging 41 adjusta-bly secured .at any of a plurality of points,indicated generally by the numeral 42, on a rearward suspension cable43. As in FIGURE 1, the suspension cable 43 passes through a hole 44 inthe rigging 41. A forward suspension cable 45 is fixedly attached to atab 46 on the rigging 41. A similar pay-out line 47 and haul-back line48 may be provided. The rearward susepnsion cable 43 may attach to aswivel 49 to which is connected a choker cable 50 for carrying a log 51.Thus, it is seen that the adjustable stop or limit cable 40 may be setto provide a controlled angle of attack since it will normally stop therearward suspension cable 43 from downward movement long before thecomplete load of the log 51 is taken up thereby. Thus, this limit cable40 also helps divide the load to both the forward suspension cable 45and the rearward suspension cable 43. For example, in the illustrationof FIGURE 1, substantially all the load of the log 25 is carried by therearward suspension cables 7a, since the stop or limited cable 20 isslack, as at 31.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a swivel system to eliminate yaw problems in aV-balloon of the type illustrated in FIG- URES 1 through 3. A hollowswivel indicated generally by numeral 61 comprises an inside member 61bhaving an elongated hole through the axis thereof which is mounted inrotatable relationship to an outer housing 61a by suitable means such asbearings 61c. In this situation, a forward suspension cable 60 passesdown and is connected to the inside member 61:: of the hollow swivel 61with the other portion of the forward suspension cable 62 then connectedfrom the bottom of the outside member 61aof the hollow swivel 61 and toa tab 63 on a butt rigging 64. A rearward suspension cable '65 passesthrough the hole through the axis of the inside member 61b of the hollowswivel 61 and continues downward a spaced distance to a conventionalswivel 66. A bottom portion 67 of the rearward suspension cable connectsfrom the bottom of the swivel 66 and passes through a hole 68 in therigging 64 for attachment to a load (not shown) as explained above. Apay-out cable 69 and haul-in cable 70 may be provided. Thus, it is seenthat the rearward suspension cable 65 will be free to turn inside thehollow swivel 61 while also being free to turn on its own swivel 66 sothat a balloon (not shown) attached to the cables 60 and 65, mayweathervane or yaw more than 360 without tangling or fouling thesuspension system in any way.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a butt rigging, indicated generally by the numeralwhich is designed to utilize a main line cable 81 in conjunction with aload cable 82, a forward tether and control cable 83', a rearward tethercable 84 and a haul-back line 85. In this situation, a substantiallyconventional drum 86 mounted on a frame 87 of the rigging 80 supportsmain line cable 81. The drum 86 rotates a shaft mounted sprocket 88which in turn drives a second drum 89 to which the load carrying tatedin the same direction. This lifts the load which is attached to cable 82and simultaneously pays out the forward tether cable 83 as indicated bythe arrows on the cables. This makes the tether cable 83 relativelylonger than the tether cable 84 and thereby produces an increased angleof attack of the balloon. Thus, the balloons lifting capability isautomatically increased as a log is lifted by the rigging 80. It isbelieved that this particular butt rigging will provide a reduction inthe amount of power required to raise a load and change the angle ofattack of a carrying balloon as the power required is then a function ofthe difference in the tension of the cable raising the log and thetension in the forward tether cable. Once the stop 90 engages the toproller of a pair of forward rollers 95, the maximum permissible angle ofattack will have been established and there will be no more movement ofthe drum 86. The location of stop 90 on cable 81 is selected to providethe optimum angle of attack for the load to be lifted. A limiter cableor safety cable 96 might connect to the rigging 80 and the cable 83 asillustrated to act as a final stop if the stop 90 falls to functionproperly.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention have been achieved byproviding a twin cable suspension system for a V-shaped lighter than airballoon to aifect carrying of loads over the earths terrain. It isanticipated that this system having suitable pay-out and haul-backWinches located on the ground will be able to selectively adjust theangle of attack and lift capacity of the balloon. Specific swivelapparatus are provided to prevent fouling of the suspension system uponyawing of the balloon.The connecting cable 10 might be elastic toprovide a resilient elastic snubbing action between the suspensioncables thereby tending to eliminate pitching of the balloon when a loadis applied. A main line cable operating in combination with a specificbutt rigging may be used to simultaneously pick up a load and adjust theforward tether cable and the angle of attack of the balloon.

Although in accordance with the patent statutes, only one best knownembodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described indetail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto or thereby, but that various modifications may stillfall within the objects of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tethering system air balloon which comprises a forward tether cablehaving one end connected to the front of the balloon, a rearward tethercable having one end connected to the rear of the balloon, a buttrigging having a hole therethrough fixedly connected to the other end ofthe forward tether 6O on the upper portion 5 for an elongated lighterthan 55 cable with the rearward tether cable slidably passing [mtg/2 aid/1; mm to now said 1211!! [$4 1)]; relaf/Ve f0 fie gin/11a 1mm incoma/.2 law in in after end of the rearward tether cable, which includesa hollow swivel connected to the forward tether cable before it connectsto the butt rigging, the rearward tether cable passing in a slidingrelationship through the hollow swivel and connecting to a separateswivel before passing through the hole in the butt rigging whereby theballoon can yaw more than 360 without fouling the tether cables.

2. In a bridle tethering system for an elongated lighter than airballoon, the combination of a forward tethering cable connected to theforward portion of the balloon,

a rearward tethering cable connected to the rearward portion of theballoon,

an inextensible flexible length of cable connecting the forward andrearward tethering cables,

a butt rigging operatively connected to tethering cable, roller meansrotatably mounted by the butt rigging having the forward tethering cablepassed therearound and downwardly from the butt rigging,

means to connect a load to the extended end of the downwardly extendingend of the forward tethering cable and means to selectively rotate theroller means whereby the downwardly extended end of the forwardtethering cable is drawn toward the butt rigging while the endconnecting to the balloon is payed out to increase the angle of attackand lift capacity of the balloon.

3. A combination according to claim 2 where the forward tether cable isconnected to a hollow swivel before it passes around the roller means inthe butt rigging, and where the rearward tether cable passes in asliding relationship through the hollow swivel and connects to aseparate swivel before connecting to the butt rigging whereby theballoon can yaw more than 360 without fouling the tether cables.

4. A combination according to claim 2 where a stop cable has one endoperatively affixed to the butt rigging and the other end operativelyaffixed to the forward tether cable thereby limiting the maximum upwardmovement thereof and controlling the angle of attack to the ballooncaused by the roller means moving a load operatively connected to theother end of the forward tether cable upwardly toward the butt rigging.

the rearward References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,270,895 9/1966Stewart 212-71 EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner. H. C. HORNSBY, AssistantExaminer.

US. Cl. XJR.

